The Message of MercyRead Jonah 3 with emphasis on 3:4 and 3:9Why do you think Jonah was initially hesitant to deliver God’s message to Nineveh? How might fear, prejudice, or personal feelings have played a role in his reluctance?  For deeper consideration, what is the significance of giving Nineveh "40 days" that may have tainted Jonah's desire to give the message?Jonah’s message was short and dir...  Read More

Have you heard the call to love God and love people?Jonah 3:1-31 Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.” 3 This time Jonah obeyed the LORD's command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.Jonah 3:4-54 On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty d...  Read More

It will literally be a BLAST! Have you marked your calendar yet? We can’t wait to see the CFC Family here on Friday, September 26 (one week from today) for our annual Fall Blast. We hope you will join us! We consider this a local outreach event, so invite your friends and family to come with you, too. The CFC Kids’ staff is making 450 candy bags with the gospel message on them for kids. We are sen...  Read More

Read Jonah 2:1-10Jonah’s prayer in Jonah 2:2-6a describes a moment of deep distress where he cries ou to God from “the land of the dead.”    How does Jonah’s desperation shape his prayer, and what can we learn about turning to God in our own moments of crisis?    2. The main point from Jonah 2:1-6a asks, “Has your pride distorted your desperation?”    How has Jonah's pride shaped the understanding...  Read More

Review of Jonah 1When we run from God’s word, we run from God.When we run from God, He runs after us.When we run from God, we run over people.Jonah's lament is not a white flag of surrender, but a red-flag cry of desperation, longing for the God he’s pushed away.Context and Structure• Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and...  Read More

Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’1 John 4:20-21 (NLT) 20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can w...  Read More

Read Matthew 22:37-39 and 1 John 4:20-21. Discuss the intimate connection between loving God and loving people.Read Jonah Chapter 1, mindful of the connection in question one.When we run from God’s Word, we are running from God. Have you ever tried to pretend you are close with God, while ignoring His Word to you?When we run from God, He runs after us. How has God run after you in your rebellion, ...  Read More

Back in July, we shared exciting news about a new ministry initiative at CFC that will equip and raise up the next generation of church leaders through apprenticeships and residencies. As part of that update, we also shared that Adam Christian would step into a new role overseeing this ministry, which opened the door for some additional transitions in leadership. We are now pleased to share the ne...  Read More

Surrendering to God's ReignRead through Psalm 46:1-11-- 2 times without stopping. Then read through 1 time, stopping to meditate on each paragraph at the interlude break.Security in Christ Psalm 46:1-3 portrays God as “our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble,” even when “mountains crumble into the sea.”How does trusting in Christ as your source of security help you naviga...  Read More

For the choir director: A song of the descendants of Korah, to be sung by soprano voices.Psalm 46:10“Be still, and know that I am God!I will be honored by every nation.I will be honored throughout the world.”Be still and consider your security in Christ (46:1-3)Psalm 46:1-31 God is our refuge and strength,   always ready to help in times of trouble.2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come   and...  Read More

For many people, this is the most wonderful time of the year. High school football teams are back under the lights on Fridays, Saturdays bring excitement at the collegiate level, and the NFL kicks off soon on Sundays. We have seen statistics that report 70% of Americans say football is their favorite sport.  As football season kicks off, many of us get excited about watching our favorite teams sui...  Read More

Read Psalm 107Notice how the sections are broken with the word "Some." What do these sections characterize?Giving Thanks for God’s Faithful Love (Psalm 107:1-3)Psalm 107:1 calls us to “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” How does the idea of God’s hesed (faithful love) shape your understanding of gratitude? In what ways have you experienced God’s enduring l...  Read More